Last Scholarship - What would you do?

[BUfan14]

For now, it seems we have one scholarship left. What would you like to see done with it? As I have been talking about it in other threads, I wanted to see everyone's thoughts. I see us as having two major needs still.

We have 7 post players currently (Atlason is mentioned as a power forward in the PJ Star).

This is how it breaks down now it seems from what I can gather:

5 - Jonovic, Hannah, Thomas, Linke, Biliew (some of these guys might be 4s, but still posts)
4- Leons, Atlason

3 - Davis
2 - Hickman, Burch, Pettigrew
1 - Deen

We only have one true three (Davis) and even that is debatable as he doesn't dribble with the ball much. I am not a fan of starting Leons at the three spot, as he also didn't seem to be at his best trying to drive around smaller guys . We have one true point guard (Burch and Pettigew often seem to be mentioned as combo guards in articles). Hick is a combo guard, ideally suited for the 2 guard to me.

At first glance point guard seems essential, and I was hoping for a taller guy to challenge Deen as the starter. If Deen, Hick, Pettigew all start right away, that is a short 1-3 spot too. But would Burch or Davis start right away?

This roster has a shooting shortage too though in my opinion. The only proven shooters at the D1 level are Hick, Deen, Leons and none of them are knock down guys at this point, and certainly none consistent and creating their own three shot often. Deen can create his own off the dribble, but his height makes it hard for him to get open enough. We lost Mast, Zek, and Ville who were all decent shooters on a team that wasn't great shooting at the end already.

So I would think we have plenty at the two guard and 4-5 spots. We seem to need both perimeter shooting (a knock down guy who could start at the three), and we need a taller point guard. With only one ride left what do you do?

All the guys so far see like good signings in a vacuum, but having 7 rides tied up in posts is difficult. I am worried about the 1 and 3 spots at this point, as well as our three point shooting and perimeter height.

I guess I would go with a 6'5" plus guy who can shoot for the 3 spot, and hope Hick, Burch, Pettigrew in some combo can handle the point well enough if Deen is hurt or overmatched in a game if I had to chose, but still feel we really need a PG too.

What would you do?

[PhiAlphaBoy]

I guess I would go with a 6'5" plus guy who can shoot for the 3 spot, and hope Hick, Burch, Pettigrew in some combo can handle the point well enough if Deen is hurt or overmatched in a game if I had to chose, but still feel we really need a PG too.

What would you do?

I think a team full of athletic 6'4-6'7 guys plus a big or two can be successful in the Valley. I'd like to see us find a true 6'3 or taller PG or a 6'6+ slashing wing who can shoot (ala Theron Wilson).

[Da Coach]

I am less concerned about what position we need to add, than the level of experience and ability to contribute immediately.
Of the 4 new players signed, 2 will be freshmen, new to Division I (Demarion Burch & Almar Atlason), and the other 2 will be sophomores, one had limited playing time at Nevada (Trey Pettigrew) and the other played a bit more, but at a low-major level at EIU (Kyle Thomas). None of those 4 can be expected step right in and become major contributors next season, and they will need time to develop and adjust to Bradley's level of D1 competition.
So if this is the final scholarship, it needs to be a veteran D1 transfer who can be an immediate contributor. I think that is the coaches' plan.
It also will help if he is a reliable shooter, scorer, and defender.

[Stryker]

I am less concerned about what position we need to add, than the level of experience and ability to contribute immediately.
Of the 4 new players signed, 2 will be freshmen, new to Division I (Demarion Burch & Almar Atlason), and the other 2 will be sophomores, one had limited playing time at Nevada (Trey Pettigrew) and the other played a bit more, but at a low-major level at EIU (Kyle Thomas). None of those 4 can be expected step right in and become major contributors next season, and they will need time to develop and adjust to Bradley's level of D1 competition.
So if this is the final scholarship, it needs to be a veteran D1 transfer who can be an immediate contributor. I think that is the coaches' plan.
It also will help if he is a reliable shooter, scorer, and defender.

100% spot on. I like the signings we have gotten, but would have preferred one of them be an immediate contributor/starter along with the one remaining. I think we need to land a very strong transfer portal kid with the last scholarship to be competitive in the league next year.

[BUfan14]

I am less concerned about what position we need to add, than the level of experience and ability to contribute immediately.

Has to be a guard of some kind though, right? Can’t have 8 post players.